Facilities
Our facilities provide a unique capability for developing and evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of innovative technologies for transportation, distributed energy, industry, and for environmental control and security…
Advanced Powertrain Research Facility
Argonne 's Advanced Powertrain Research Facility (APRF) is the principal U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) facility for assessing advanced and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technologies for the FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program. The APRF is an integrated multi-dynamometer vehicle and component test facility capable of testing conventional and hybrid vehicle propulsion systems and vehicles (two- or four-wheel drive) in a precise laboratory environment using a variety of fuels (including hydrogen). The facility is used to assess powertrain technology for light- and medium-duty propulsion systems with state-of-the-art performance and emissions measurement equipment and techniques. (Powertrain Research Facility.html )
Engine Research Facility and Heavy Duty Truck Engine Test Cell
Argonne 's Engine Research Facility and Heavy-Duty Truck Engine Test Cell allow engineers to study in-cylinder combustion phenomena under realistic operating conditions and find ways to continually improve diesel engine performance and reliability, increase fuel efficiency, and reduce harmful exhaust emissions. (Engine Research Facility.html)
The facilities of the Distributed Energy group include the following:
Rapid Compression Machine: This system was developed based on a initial design from MIT. Features of this RCM are
- opposed piston design for reduced vibration
- Max. working pressure 362 Bar
- CR ~ 10, variable
- Compression times ≤ 13 ms
- Remote operation for operator safety
Single Cylinder Kohler Engine: A base gasoline Koehler engine was converted for operation with natural gas. Features of this engine are
- 4 kW at 3000 rpm
- Governor controlled
- Load can be varied using a load bank
- CR ~ 6.6
- L-head engine
Single-Cylinder Research Engine: A 130 mm bore, 150 mm stroke 4-stroke engine coupled to a AC dynamometer. This natural gas fired engine can be converted to an elongated piston engine to provide optical access.
6-Cylinder Engine: A 350 kW Cummins QSK-19 natural gas fired engine is planned to be coupled to a eddy current dynamometer. This test cell is currently under construction.
CAT 3401E SCOTE: Base diesel engine converted to natural gas operation. Ideal for nitrogen enrichment and in-cylinder visualization.
Supporting Instrumentation: Horiba and AVL gas emissions benches, Automated Combustion analysis equipment, a number of high power lasers, AVL visioscope, spectrometers and light detection equipment.
State-of-the-art intermediate-scale high-temperature furnace facilities
These facilities provide the capability to test and evaluate process innovations for the primary steel, aluminum and magnesium industries. Research is being conducted on the development of carbon-free inert anodes for aluminum and magnesium. A breakthrough process concept for electrolytic carbon-free steelmaking has just recently been proven.
Pilot-scale Electrodialysis Chemical Plant
This facility is the only plant of its’ kind in the world. Originally, the plant was built to demonstrate a new process for concentrating salts from the brine solutions generated in the aluminum recycling industry. The plant has recently been modified and is being used to commercially demonstrate a novel electrodialysis process for the manufacture of an agricultural chemical. (EDPilotPlant.pdf)
Pilot-scale Materials Separation/Recycling Facility
This facility was originally built to demonstrate the economic feasibility of a process to recover flexible urethane foams from shredder residues. The facility includes large-scale bulk separation equipment and a full-scale froth flotation system for recovering plastics for recycling. This facility has recently been upgraded to serve as the demonstration plant on a major collaborative project for recovery of automotive plastics and other materials in partnership with the Vehicle Recycling Partnership of USCAR and the American Plastics Council. (Plastics Recycle Pilot-plant.doc )
Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Technology Evaluation Laboratory, and Environmental Research Laboratory
The Environmental Analysis Laboratory has served the analytical needs of ES Division research since 1985 by providing physical and chemical analysis of soil, water, and plant material. All sample preparations necessary before analyses are performed in the lab prior to the initiation of any analytical work.
Two chemistry laboratories support analytical work: the Technology Evaluation Laboratory and the Environmental Research Laboratory. The Technology Evaluation Laboratory is set up for bench-scale studies (such as solvent washing and thermal desorption). The Environmental Research Laboratory contains a gas chromatograph and a liquid chromatograph. Two field-ready instruments are also available: a gas chromatograph can be set up in a mobile laboratory for the remote sampling of sites, and a spectrophotometer is also available for screening purposes.
RDTE Dilute Facility
The RDTE Dilute Facility is an ISO 9000L certified, U.S. Army-approved research and development, testing, and evaluation laboratory for dilute chemical agents. The Facility is used to develop and validate improved analytical techniques in environmental matrices; to develop and evaluate detection and sensing technologies for surface and environmental matrices; to develop and evaluate neutralization, decontamination, and remediation technologies; and to investigate environmental fate and transport of contaminants and model validation.
Field Analytical Laboratories
Greenhouse and plant growth facilities are particularly well suited for a variety of plant research studies. Two recently renovated greenhouses, totaling 1,200 square feet under glass, have an attached headhouse and laboratory. Environmental conditions in each greenhouse can be independently controlled and monitored via a central computerized control system. Other plant research facilities include state-of-the-art hydroponic and aeroponic plant growth systems, controlled-environment plant-growth chambers, and space for field plots or outdoor growth facilities adjacent to the greenhouse complex.
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